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Gov't general secretary resigns over video [Update]

Government general secretary Takis Baltakos, a close aide to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, resigned on Wednesday following the release of a video recording showing him in conversation with Golden Dawn spokesman and lawmaker Ilias Kasidiaris.

The footage was presented by Kasidiaris in Parliament during a discussion regarding the lifting of his parliamentary immunity so he can face charges of arms and explosives possession.

In the recorded conversation Baltakos allegedly stated that there was no evidence to substantiate the crackdown on the ultranationalist party, which followed the murder of rapper Pavlos Fyssas by a Golden Dawn member last September. In the same video the premier's aide allegedly claimed that Golden Dawn's political persecution had been developed in order to stop New Democracy voters from switching their support to Golden Dawn.

According to sources a scuffle broke out in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon between Baltakos's son, a group of GD deputies and a police officer.